MODULAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR TATAMI MATS

Abstract

Modular fastening structure for tatami mats characterized by comprising: - a modular profile (4), formed by straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b), configured for coupling attached to the perimeter defined by the lateral edges of a set of tatami mats (3) attached coplanarly to each other, and - a series of straps (2) shaped to be held taut by their ends at opposite points of the profile (4); and - supports (1) for fixing the ends of the straps (2) that are arranged interspersed between the straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b) of the profile.

Description

MODULAR SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR TATAMI MATS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention, as stated in the present descriptive memorandum, refers to a modular fastening structure for tatami mats that provides advantages and characteristics to the function for which it is intended, which are described in detail below. More specifically, the object of the invention focuses on a fastening structure whose purpose is to provide a practical and effective means of securing and immobilizing a plurality of mats or tatami mats on which sports such as judo, karate or other martial arts are practiced, arranged adjacently, preventing the mats from moving and separating during the activity, allowing a continuous padded floor of the dimensions required in each case to be formed, said structure being basically made up of a plurality of modularly attachable profiles between which a series of supports are inserted that include a clamp provided to fix the ends of tension straps with which the profiles are attached to the edge of the tatami mats. FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of sports accessories, focusing particularly on the field of accessories for the practice of martial arts and other sports that are developed on tatami mats, and more specifically on tatami fastening systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is known, the "mats" or tatami mats of Judo and other martial arts or similar sports are usually made up of padded pieces of 2x1 m or 1x1 m and 4 or 5 cm thick that are arranged, normally in a plural number attached to each other, covering the area intended to carry out the activity but without being joined to each other or to the floor of the facility on which they are located, so that, with the practice of the exercise and the movements of the athletes, it is common for the mats to slide on the surface of the floor and separate from each other. This separation becomes dangerous for sports practice, as it can cause injuries to athletes during the movements and displacements involved in the practice. Thus, the objective of the present invention is to provide a means of fixing to prevent such separation between the mats or tatami mats used in this type of sport. Furthermore, and with reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, although there are some profiles on the market, usually made of wood, to delimit the position of the tatami mats, these are ineffective systems and substantially different from the solution provided by the structure of the present invention. Therefore, it can be stated that, at least as far as the applicant is concerned, there is no knowledge of any other modular support structure for tatami mats, nor any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal or similar to those presented by the one claimed herein. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The modular support structure for tatami mats proposed by the invention constitutes an optimal solution that allows the objectives mentioned above to be achieved satisfactorily, while also representing an improvement over the current state of the art, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being included in the final claims that accompany this description. Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is a fastening structure intended to serve as a means to fix and immobilize a plurality of mats or tatami mats that are arranged grouped adjacently to serve as a padded floor in the practice of sports such as judo, karate or other martial arts, preventing the mats from moving and separating with the movement of the athletes when performing the activity, said structure being designed to allow the formation of a continuous padded floor made up of a greater or lesser number of mats, depending on the dimensions required in each case. To this end, the modular structure is basically made up of a plurality of profiles in the form of straight tubes and corner pieces that can be coupled together in a modular way to surround the perimeter of the set of mats or tatami mats that is appropriate, and between which are inserted a series of fixing supports that, formed by a hollow body and a clamp that fits into said hollow, serve to fix the ends of tension straps with which the profiles are attached to the edge of the tatami mats between opposite points of the set, remaining arranged below the tatami mats. More specifically, each of these tension tape fixing brackets comprises: - a main body, provided at its ends with respective lateral extensions, suitable for fitting internally into the respective sections of hollow tube of the profile between which the support is inserted, and provided in its center with a housing open at the front and rear that includes a central core, and - a clamp that at least has a front stop wall and a U-shaped piece, whose arms emerge perpendicularly from said wall and are dimensioned to fit, when inserted into the housing of the main body, embracing the central core thereof, such that, when the end of the tape is placed in the housing of the main body surrounding the core inside, it is locked by the pressure exerted by the clamp. Ideally, the clamp of the support has corresponding rods that extend from both sides of the U-shaped piece. The lateral extensions of the main body also have corresponding, aligned holes. Furthermore, the ends of the profile sections between which the support is inserted also have matching perforations. Thus, when the clamp is attached to the main body, as the arms of the U-shaped piece fit into the housing surrounding the core that holds the tape, the lateral rods, passing through the perforations in the profile tube sections, fit into the holes in the lateral extensions of the support body. In this way, both parts of the support are firmly coupled and secured to each other and to the respective profile tube sections. By doing this, and performing the same operation with the opposite end of the tape, on the opposite side of the tatami set, where another support will have been included between the tube profiles, and applying the necessary tension to the tape to fix it to this other support, the tatami set is perfectly secured by the profiles of the structure attached to the perimeter edges. Ideally, the tubes that make up the perimeter profile of the structure are made of aluminum. And, ideally, the two elements of the mounting brackets—the main body and the clamp—are also primarily made of aluminum. However, the U-shaped fixing piece is preferably made of a more elastic material, such as a thermoplastic, in which case it is preferably fixed to the wall using screws. For their part, the tensioning tapes that allow the profiles to be fixed to the perimeter edges of the tatami set are made of highly resistant, flexible but not elastic material, such as high tenacity polyester, but without this implying a limitation. Finally, it should be noted that, for the purposes of the description in this document, the terms "front", "rear", "side", etc. and their derivatives relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and should not be interpreted as limiting any feature to having a particular orientation, since this orientation can be changed according to the perspective of the device user. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by sheets of drawings, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of floor composed of multiple tatami mats attached to each other, to which an example of the modular support structure of the invention has been incorporated, showing the arrangement of the different elements of the same, in particular the fixing supports for the tensioning tapes, represented in a dashed line, as they are located below the tatami mats. Figure 2 shows a schematic exploded view of an example of the tape fixing support comprising the structure, according to the invention, incorporated in a straight section of the profile, according to the position indicated as detail A in figure 1. Figure number 3.- Shows a schematic view in detail of the tape fixing support, in this case incorporated in a section of the edge of the profile, according to the position indicated as detail B of figure 1. Figure number 4.- Shows a cross-sectional view, according to the CC cut indicated in figure 5, of the assembled assembly of the clamp and the body of the fixing support, represented with the tape incorporated in it, showing the arrangement of the same. Figure number 5.- Shows a schematic front elevation view of the fixing support with the set of parts it comprises mounted together and the respective sections of perimeter profile. Figure number 6 shows a side elevation view of the support shown in figure 5. Figure number 7 shows a plan view of the support shown in figure 5, in this case including the tape. Figures number 8 and 9.- Show respective elevation and plan views of the corner piece comprising the profile comprising the structure subject to the invention, showing its configuration, especially the perforations provided for the incorporation of the support for fixing the tapes. Figures number 10, 11 and 12.- Show respective schematic views, in front elevation, side and plan, of the main body of the support comprising the structure according to the invention, showing the configuration and parts thereof. Figure number 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the support body, according to the DD cut indicated in figure 12. And figures number 14 and 15.- Show both plan and side elevation views of the clamp comprising the support, showing its configuration and parts. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can appreciate in them a non-limiting example of the modular fastening structure for tatami mats of the invention, which comprises what is indicated and described in detail below. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the structure of the invention basically comprises: - a modular profile (4) which, formed by straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b), is applicable for its coupling attached to the perimeter defined by the lateral edges of a set of tatami mats (3) attached coplanarly to each other, - a series of tapes (2) that are held taut at their ends on opposite sides of the profile (4), and - some supports (1) for fixing the ends of the tapes (2) that are arranged interspersed between the straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b) of the profile, Thus, once the straps (2) are attached at their ends to the supports (1), they exert a sufficient force to keep the profile (4) perfectly fitted to the perimeter of the tatami mats (3), preventing them from moving or separating, even during the practice of the activity carried out on them. As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, for this purpose, the supports (1) for fixing the tensioning tapes (2) are configured for their incorporation in a plural manner at points placed in the profile (4), whichever is convenient according to the needs of each case, so that each support (1) is arranged interspersed between two sections of straight tube (4a) or between a straight tube (4a) and a corner piece (4b) that make up said profile (4), fixing each of the respective ends of the tape (2) (represented by dashed lines in figure 1) to them. For this purpose, preferably, each support (1) in turn comprises two independent elements, a hollow body (5) and a clamp (6), which are provided with means that make them coupleable to each other, locking the end of the tape (2) between them, and, at the same time, coupleable to the respective ends of the straight tube sections (4a) and / or corner pieces (4b) of the perimeter profile (4) between which the support (1) is inserted. In a preferred embodiment, the two support elements (1) comprise: - the main body (5) of elongated configuration which, as can be seen in figures 10 to 13, presents, at least: - at its two ends, respective lateral extensions (7) with a reduced configuration and dimension to fit internally into the hollow end of the respective sections of straight tube (4a) and / or corner piece (4b) of the profile between which the support (1) is inserted, and - in its central part (8), configured and thickened to be flush with the profile tube (4), an internal housing (9) that is open at the front and rear and that internally includes a central core (10); and - the clamp (6) which, as can be seen in figures 14 and 5, at least, comprises: - a front stop wall (11) and - a U-shaped fitting piece (12), whose arms (12a, 12b) emerge perpendicularly from the stop wall (11) and are configured and dimensioned to penetrate the housing (9) of the main body (5) and fit into it by embracing the central core (10) thereof, holding the tape (2) which is arranged in a loop, as shown in figure 4, inserted into the housing (9) of the main body (5) surrounding the core (10) inside, so that it is locked by the pressure exerted by the U-shaped piece (12) of the strap (6). Furthermore, preferably, the clamp (5) of the support (1) comprises respective lateral stems (13) emerging from the front wall of the stop (11) on both sides of the U-shaped piece (12). In turn, the lateral extensions (7) of the main body (6) comprise respective holes (14). For their part, the ends of the straight tube sections (4a) and / or corner pieces (4b) of the perimeter profile (4) between which the support (1) is incorporated, also have perforations (15). With said stems (13), holes (14) and perforations (15) arranged in such a way that, when the clamp (6) is attached to the main body (5) and between the sections (4a, 4b) of the profile, the lateral stems (13) fit, passing through the perforations (15) of the sections (4a, 4b) of the tube of the profile, into the holes (14) of the lateral extensions (7) of the main body (5) of the support (1). It is important to note that the described supports (1) for securing the ends of the straps (2) will be conveniently arranged at opposite points of the perimeter profile (4), so that both ends of the straps (2) are secured to them by applying sufficient tension to the straps to exert a force that keeps the profile (4) pressed against the edges of the tatami assembly (3), preventing them from moving. Logically, the tapes (2) will be arranged below the tatami mats (3), including as much as necessary, both transversely and longitudinally, to hold the entire set of tubes (4a, 4b) comprising the profile (4) in each case. Preferably, the tubes that make up the profile (4) are metallic, preferably aluminum. Preferably, the two elements (5, 6) of the support (1) for fixing the tapes (2), i.e., the main body (5) and the clamp (6) are also metallic, preferably made of aluminum. However, in a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped fitting piece (12) of the clamp (6) is made of a more elastic and soft material, for example a thermoplastic, in which case it is preferably fixed to the stop wall (11) by means of respective screws (16). And, preferably, the tapes (2) are made of flexible and highly resistant material, for example high tenacity polyester. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it, it being noted that, within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and which will also achieve the protection sought provided that its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified.

Claims

1. A modular fastening structure for tatami mats, characterized by comprising: - a modular profile (4) formed by straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b), configured for coupling to the perimeter defined by the lateral edges of a set of tatami mats (3) attached coplanarly to each other; and - a series of straps (2) shaped to be held taut at their ends at opposite points of the profile (4); and - supports (1) for fixing the ends of the straps (2), which are arranged between the straight tubes (4a) and corner pieces (4b) of the profile. 2.Modular fastening structure for tatami mats, according to claim 1, characterized in that each support (1) for fixing the straps (2) comprises two elements, a body (5) and a clamp (6), which are provided with means that make them coupleable to each other, locking the end of the strap (2) between them, and, at the same time, coupleable to the respective ends of the straight tube sections (4a) and / or corner piece (4b) of the perimeter profile between which the support (1) is inserted. 3.Modular fastening structure for tatami mats, according to claim 2, characterized in that the main body (5) of elongated configuration has at least: - at its two ends, respective lateral extensions (7) with a reduced configuration and dimension to fit internally into the hollow end of the respective sections of straight tube (4a) and / or corner piece (4b) of the profile between which the support (1) is inserted, and - in its central part (8), configured and thickened to be flush with the tube of the profile (4), an internal housing (9) that is open at the front and rear and that internally includes a central core (10). 4.Modular clamping structure for tatami mats, according to claim 3, characterized in that the clamp (6) comprises: - a front stop wall (11) and - a U-shaped fitting piece (12), the arms (12a, 12b) of which emerge perpendicularly from the stop wall (11) and are configured and dimensioned to penetrate the housing (9) of the main body (5) and fit into it, embracing the central core (10) thereof. 5.Modular clamping structure for tatami mats, according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamp (5) comprises respective lateral stems (13), which emerge from the front wall of the stop (11) on both sides of the U-shaped piece (12); in that the lateral extensions (7) of the main body (6) comprise respective holes (14); in that the ends of the straight tube sections (4a) and / or corner pieces (4b) of the perimeter profile (4) between which the support (1) is incorporated have perforations (15); and because said rods (13), holes (14) and perforations (15) are arranged in such a way that, when the clamp (6) is attached to the main body (5) and between the sections (4a, 4b) of the profile, the lateral rods (13) fit, passing through the perforations (15) of the sections (4a, 4b) of the tube of the profile, into the holes (14) of the lateral extensions (7) of the main body (5) of the support (1). 6.Modular fastening structure for tatami mats, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubes forming the profile (4) are made of aluminum.

7. Modular fastening structure for tatami mats, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body (5) and the clamp (6) of the support (1) are made of aluminum.

8. Modular fastening structure for tatami mats, according to claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the clamp (6) is made of aluminum, except for the U-shaped fitting (12), which is made of a thermoplastic material and is fixed to the stop wall (11) by means of respective screws (16).